# Is "Books: A Memoir" by Larry McMurtry a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Books: A Memoir by Larry McMurtry (Simon & Schuster, 2008) is identified by: Simon & Schuster first printing, indicated by a full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; dated 2008; issued in dust jacket. True first US edition of the memoir.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Simon & Schuster first printing, indicated by a full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; dated 2008; issued in dust jacket
- Memoir of McMurtry's life in the antiquarian book trade
- Publisher imprint reads Simon & Schuster
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Larry McMurtry |
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster |
| Year | 2008 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Simon & Schuster first printing, indicated by a full number line ending in 1 on the… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Simon & Schuster first printing, indicated by a full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; dated 2008; issued in dust jacket. Memoir of McMurtry's life in the antiquarian book trade.

## Is this the true first?
True first US edition of the memoir.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No significant book-club edition concern; confirm the number line terminates in 1.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Books: A Memoir* by Larry McMurtry a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/books-a-memoir
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.